The Kitsap International Trade Steering Committee will conduct an Introduction to International Trade seminar for interested businesses that will help develop the list of potential international traders already located here. The committee is an ad hoc group of local people that was formed to promote international trade for local firms and offer them assistance in marketing their products and services globally.

The committee’s first task is to build a database of local firms doing business internationally and then offer assistance to them as well as other firms desiring to enter that arena. The companies already involved in international trade would also become a resource for those wishing to enter those markets.

David Spann, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Seattle was quite receptive to the committee’s needs and said his office, with five full time international trade assistants, would make its expertise available to the committee.
With an eye towards trying to lure some of those firms to Kitsap, he noted that a list of current exporters in the Puget Sound region exists, but could only be accessed through a joint partnership with the Export Assistance Center.

The half-day event, which will be held in either late September or early October and be co-sponsored by the Business Journal, will feature a kick-off speaker on how to conduct international trade. as well as case studies, examples of how the internet can be used in international trading and will integrate some topics recommended by the U.S. Export Assistance Center. Spann and his assistants will also be available for individual consultations at the event.

A copy of the initial survey to begin building the database appears on page B-6. Please take the time to fill it out and send it back to the Port.

For more information, contact Tim Thomson at (360) 674-2381, Ext. 24.